2018 BMW 650I / B6 | WBA6D6C50JG745636

Body Styles

The Alpina B6 (2011–2019) was offered in three distinct body styles, each based on the BMW 6 Series platform but transformed by Alpina into a uniquely luxurious and high-performance grand tourer. All variants featured subtle aerodynamic enhancements, bespoke Alpina badging, and a strong emphasis on refined power delivery and touring capability.

The B6 Coupé (F13) was a two-door grand touring coupé with a wide, planted stance and flowing roofline that swept elegantly into a short rear deck. Its proportions were long and graceful, dominated by an extended hood and a cabin set far to the rear, emphasizing its rear-wheel-drive architecture. With Alpina-specific aerodynamic elements like a front splitter, rear lip spoiler, and quad exhaust tips integrated into the rear apron, the coupé balanced understated elegance with overt performance cues.

The B6 Convertible (F12) retained the same basic profile but featured a fully electric soft-top roof that could open or close in roughly 20 seconds. The fabric roof preserved the car’s coupe-like silhouette when raised and allowed for a fully open four-seat experience when lowered. Structural reinforcement ensured chassis rigidity, while the elongated body and pronounced rear haunches gave it a sculpted, athletic presence.

The most distinctive variant was the B6 Gran Coupé (F06) — a four-door coupé with a sleek, fastback roofline and frameless doors, combining the aggressive design of a sports coupé with the practicality of a luxury sedan. This version featured an extended wheelbase and a lower, more flowing silhouette than a traditional 5 Series, offering both a spacious rear cabin and the dramatic proportions of a true grand tourer. Its side profile was defined by elongated doors, sweeping contours, and Alpina’s signature multi-spoke wheels.

All body types were characterized by aero-optimized bumpers, integrated Alpina spoilers, and signature details like blue or green brake calipers, subtle pinstriping, and bespoke Alpina badging, resulting in a powerful yet restrained presence that was instantly recognizable to connoisseurs.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

“B6” refers to Alpina’s naming convention, where “B” denotes a petrol-powered model and the number loosely reflects the series/class base (in this case, the 6 Series). The B6 is based on BMW’s 6 Series and represents Alpina’s take on the luxury grand tourer formula.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

Alpina offered the B6 in a tailored selection of exterior colors, including the iconic Alpina Blue Metallic, Alpina Green, Mineral White, Black Sapphire, and Frozen Grey. The 20-inch Classic Alpina wheels, with lockable center caps and signature valve placement between spokes, were a visual hallmark.

Inside, the B6 featured Lavish Lavalina leather upholstery, hand-finished wood trim, Alpina logos embossed into seatbacks, and a custom Alpina instrument cluster with blue dials and red needles. The cabin could be extensively personalized through BMW Individual and Alpina's own offerings, allowing for near-bespoke configurations.

Alpina’s Switch-Tronic metal paddle shifters, located behind the steering wheel or on the back of the wheel hub, enabled quick manual gear changes. Subtle Alpina touches — stitched logos, metal plaques with production numbers, illuminated door sills — reminded drivers of the car’s exclusivity.

Top Expensive Options

• Full Lavalina Leather Interior by Alpina: $5,000–$8,000
• Alpina Piano Black or Myrtle Wood Trim: $2,500
• B&O High-End Surround Sound System: $3,700
• BMW Individual Exterior Paint (e.g. Frozen Bronze, Tanzanite Blue): $5,000
• Adaptive LED Headlights with High Beam Assist: $1,600
• Executive Package (Ventilated/Massaging Seats, HUD, Surround View): $3,800
• Driver Assistance Plus (Lane Keep, Blind Spot, Active Cruise): $1,900
• Alcantara Headliner with Custom Stitching: $1,200
• Soft-Close Doors: $600
• Carbon Ceramic Brakes (rare, select models): ~$9,000

vs Competitors

The Alpina B6 competed with the Mercedes-AMG CLS 63 S, Audi RS7, and Porsche Panamera GTS/Turbo. Unlike its German rivals, the B6 offered subtlety over swagger, torque-rich composure over razor-sharp dynamics, and luxury over hardcore aggression. The RS7 was louder and more digital; the Panamera more surgical and less charismatic. The AMG offered brutalism; the B6 offered serenity.

Its biggest advantage was exclusivity — with fewer than 2,000 units produced globally across all body styles, the B6 remains a rare, collector-worthy alternative to M cars. It delivered comparable performance, superior ride quality, and bespoke craftsmanship — a grand tourer in the truest European sense.

Fun Fact

Each Alpina B6 engine was hand-assembled at Alpina’s headquarters in Buchloe, Germany, before being shipped to BMW’s Dingolfing plant for final vehicle assembly. Unlike the M6, the B6 was offered with xDrive all-wheel drive, making it significantly quicker in poor weather and real-world conditions. It was also one of the few Alpina models officially sold in North America, under BMW warranty and servicing, making it a rare fusion of boutique tuning and factory-backed reliability.